Phishing
Phishing is a fancy name for an old game. Somebody poses as a trusted entity and attempts to get sensitive information out of you -- your usernames, passwords, credit card details, and more. For some reason, when it happens on the Internet, it merits a new name, and that name is phishing.
A lot of these attempts are clumsy and obvious while others are more elaborate. Someone may pose as your bank, and ask you to confirm your password. They'll usually try to bypass your ability to think rationally by telling you that there's some urgent problem that needs to be resolved by giving them your password right away. Other phishing attempts include fake commerce sites, like the rash of fake websites that are stealing credit card info by pretending to sell tickets to the Rio Olympics.
And maybe you aren't foolish enough to click on those emails or those fake sites -- but again, you don't have to be. All it takes is for someone at the bank to be that foolish. An embarrassingly basic phishing scheme directed at 100 different banks around the world wound up siphoning billions of dollars - and that's with an attack that actually required the bank employees to be stupid enough to open a suspicious file.
Did you know...
- There are over 1.6 million automated teller machines around the world. And that really does mean the entire world. There are even two ATMs on Antarctica at McMurdo Station operated by Wells Fargo. Friday is the most popular day that ATMs are used worldwide, and the average withdrawal is around $80.
- It's an understatement to say that the odds when playing the lottery are not in your favor. You are statistically three times more likely to die in a car accident while driving 10 miles to buy a lottery ticket than you are to actually win. Even more astounding, over half the tickets in an average lottery draw are bought by only 5% of the participants.
- Want a money saving tip? Ditch credit and debit cards, and stick to carrying around cash. Studies show people spend between 12 – 18% more when using a plastic card as opposed to when paying for things in cash. If you physically have to dole it out, you’re much more aware that you are spending your hard-earned money!
- Once you've handled all your money, you should probably wash your hands. Money is some of the dirtiest things that we own. In fact, it's been found to be dirtier than a household toilet! During flu season, the virus can live on a bill for up to 17 days. That's just plain disgusting!
- The most expensive hotel room in the world (the Royal Penthouse Suite at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland) costs $83,200 a night. That's $58 per minute for a stay! Good thing it has 12 bedrooms, 12 baths, a wraparound terrace, a Steinway piano, and an assigned private staff (including a chef)!